The Finneytown Local School District announced today three administrative changes.
Ms. Deb Semenick, who has served as principal of Whitaker Elementary School for 11 years, will be recommended by Finneytown superintendent Randy Parsons to become the new Director of Student Services, replacing Michelle Doll, who will be retiring at the end of July after 22 years in the district.
The Director of Student Services is responsible for overseeing the district’s special education services as well as other programs and initiatives that impact staff development and overall instructional improvement. Semenick, who is licensed as a superintendent, principal, and teacher, has served as a principal and teacher of both regular and special needs students in five different school districts. She has received numerous awards and accolades as an effective leader, including the Council for Exceptional Children Principal Award, a nomination for the Leadership Award from the Inclusion Network, and Finneytown Educator of the Year. She has participated in the High Aims Math and Science Academy for Principals, and is a certified trainer for Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty. At Whitaker she spearheaded a school improvement project to expand the academic achievements of all students based on Effective Schools research and the 8-Step Instructional Model.
Mr. Les Tacy will be the Director of Facilities and Operations for the district. Mr. Tacy, who has served as Assistant Superintendent for Business Services in the Northwest Local School District since 2002, will replace Brad King, who resigned as Director of Administrative Services effective July 1. The title of the position was changed to Director of Facilities and Operations.
Mr. Tacy holds a M.B.A in Finance as well as an M.Ed. in Education Administration. He has extensive experience in long-range facilities planning, contract negotiations, overseeing building renovations, budgeting, forecasting, facility and risk management, as well as operational technology and preparing bid specifications.
Al Meriweather has been named principal of Whitaker Elementary School on an interim basis effective August, 2008.
This transfer from Mr. Meriweather’s current position as assistant principal at the secondary campus is being recommended in light of overall district needs. The Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee’s process includes the possibility of operating with fewer elementary buildings in the future. Within the coming year, the future administrative needs and plans should be better known as a result of this process. At the present time it would be inadvisable for the district to search for and the Board to enter into a contract with a new elementary-licensed principal.
Mr. Meriweather has been employed as a dean of students and assistant principal at our Middle School for eight years. He holds an elementary principal’s license, and has extensive elementary principal experience as well as teaching experience in grades four through seven.
The district believes that Mr. Meriwaether will be a strong asset in assisting the staff continue their strong academic program, as well as helping to prepare the fifth and sixth grade students and families for the transition to the secondary campus. Mr. Meriweather is excited about the change, and looking forward to working with the Whitaker staff and families.
A secondary-licensed assistant principal will be sought to fill Mr. Meriweather’s position.
The Board approved the contracts of Semenick and Tacy at its April 21st regular board meeting.